We don't talk much in the car on the way back to Forever Falls. Instead I lean back against the cool leather seat and stare absently out of the window as we pass by the pristine looking buildings– leaving the clubs, office blocks, and LA scenery behind.

After the surges of adrenaline I'd felt earlier during the fight I feel like I'm suffering some kind of withdrawal; my whole body aches, and I'm exhausted.

I close my eyes.

It's a mistake.

The moment I do I see Valentine – imprinted on the back of my eyelids. I see his wild, blue eyes burning into mine, his full lips quirked up into a smirk; I hear his Irish lilt, taunting in my ears, I feel his fingers on my skin.

I'll be seeing you, Lila.

My eyes jolt open.

"You OK, lovebug?" says Cupid – looking at me through the mirror as we pull into the square at Forever Falls.

I blink hard, pushing Valentine away.

The events of the past week race through my mind: missing hearts, zombie cupids, a serial killer, the Fates, the threads of life, the shears of death, and a loom!

"Not going to lie...my life has definitely taken a weird turn since I met you both..."

Cupid is watching me with concern. I roll my eyes.

"I'm fine," I say. "Honest."

He nods, satisfied.

But my heart is still pounding against my ribcage. I'd really thought Valentine was going to take me with him, earlier. And I can't seem to get him out of my mind.

I need your heart for what I'm to do.

I shudder.

I glance back up at Cupid, who is now focused straight ahead as he maneuvers the car into a parking spot. I let my eyes travel across his face. There's still blood smeared around his nose and mouth, and the skin around his left eye has now turned a vibrant shade of purple.

He notices me staring at him as he stops the car.

"Like something you see?" he says, arching an eyebrow.

I give him a look.

"You look really bad, Cupid..." I say. "I mean...not in like a bad way...I just mean...well..."

"Don't sugar coat it, Lila," says Cal sharply; cutting me off and looking at his brother. "You're an absolute state. Have you not looked in the mirror? Wipe your face before we go into the Love Shack. You're going to scare the locals."

With that Cal opens the door and slides out onto the cobbled stones.

I find myself almost laughing, despite the grim situation. Cal really has no tact whatsoever. Cupid's lip quirks upward, too, as he turns in his seat. He looks at me, his eyes burning into mine.

Then the smile falls from his lips.

The air suddenly feels a little awkward – even though we should know each other well enough now for it not to.

I remember Cupid's face when Morta was telling us about the match. There was darkness in his expression. It's there now, as well. Imprinted in the hard line of his jaw, in the tensed muscles of his shoulders.

Has all of this changed his feelings for me? And if so, how strong could his feelings really have been in the first place?!

I see something searching inside his eyes – like he's looking for answers inside my soul.

Is he wondering if he would have ever had feelings for me if Valentine hadn't put him into the system?

I feel something inside of me harden.

"We better get going," I say.

I drag my gaze away from him, open the door and join Cal outside.

Moments later Cupid follows – the blood wiped from his face, but the black eye still prominent on his lightly tanned skin. Cal looks between us confusedly, seemingly picking up on the atmosphere that exists between us. He frowns a moment, then he shrugs and leads the way toward the Love Shack. We follow. A floral scent mixes with the cool breeze as we pass the florist and make our way in silence to the Love Shack. It's early, and the door is left unattended so we head straight inside.

Even though it's Saturday the place is pretty empty – meaning my eyes immediately find Charlie and Crystal sat on stools at the other side of the room, illuminated by dim fuchsia lighting. They're in deep conversation, a pot of coffee on the high table between them.

"Oohh, coffee," I say as we approach. "Give me!"

I sit down next to Charlie who grins at me and pours some of the hot black liquid into a mug. There's concern etched into her expression when she catches my eyes though. I give her a half nod – letting her know I'm alright. But after all that's happened, all that's still happening, I'm not a hundred percent sure I'm telling the truth.

Crystal looks up – her gaze falling pointedly on Cupid's face.

"God, you look even worse than you did yesterday..."

"Don't mince your words, Crystal..." says Cupid – amusement glinting in his eyes as he slides into the one of the stools. "Any news?"

She shakes her head – her mane of blonde hair reflecting the pink lighting.

"Nothing new. Before the bodies from the club went missing Mino discovered from the witness accounts that each of them had two coins laid on their bodies, just like the other ones we found."

"Obals?" says Cupid.

Crystal nods.

"I'm going to use the resources of the Cupids Matchmaking Service to see if we can determine what that means. I take it all of the undead cupids were disposed of?" she says.

"Yes," says Cal. "All the ones Valentine had with him, at least."

"And we know now how to dispose of Valentine?" she says.

Cal – standing rigidly beside the table explains everything that has just happened.

"Why is Valentine so strong?" asks Charlie – dark eyes bright. She looks at Cupid. "I mean, he's beaten you twice now."

Cupid looks a little put out. His jaw clenches, and something flashes across his eyes. He opens his mouth to speak.

"Valentine's Day is only two weeks away," interjects Cal darkly.

"And...?" says Charlie, raising an eyebrow.

I think back to when Cal first told me about Valentine, back in his office, and his impossible speed and strength suddenly makes sense.

"He manages to channel the power of matches around Valentine's Day," I say over the low lull of pop music. I look at Cal. "Does that mean he'll be even more powerful than he is now on the 14th February?"

Cal nods solemnly.

"That's why we need to find his life thread before then," he says. "The shears too." His silvery eyes darken. "So we can end him." He pulls his phone out of his pocket, then looks at us all. "Speaking of which – Cassie has just messaged the location of the Fates' loom. We need to go. Now. If Valentine hasn't already retrieved his thread, he will know for sure now that we're looking for it."

"What if it's a trap?" says Crystal.

"Even if it is – even if he already took his thread – he could have left something behind. There could be some kind of clue as to what he's doing, where he's hiding," says Cal sharply. "We need to at least check it out."

Crystal nods.

"You three go. Me and Charlie have work to do."

A look of disappointment crosses Charlie's face as Cupid jumps to his feet. He looks at me – his eyes burning into mine. The passion in his face confuses me after his coolness in the car. I can't quite figure him out.

"This could be dangerous," he says.

I hold his gaze defiantly.

"I know."

He nods as if satisfied I understand the seriousness of the situation.

"OK. Let's go."

Cal turns on his heel and starts to walk toward the door. Cupid and I say bye then follow. My mind is burning with questions.

Where are we going? And what will we find when we get there?